Review: Johnny5thWheel&thecowards – Johnny5thWheelE​.​P.

Johnny5thWheel&thecowards very helpfully describe their style as “experimental-folk-swing music” so, at the very worst, their new EP isn’t going to sound conventional. Furthermore, with Bruce Forsight on accordion, Jack Coward on organ and led by the mandolin-wielding Johnny up front, one would expect a lot of fun too. A four track EP gives a brief introduction in to their peculiar little world.

‘OMySoul’ uses a deliberately lo-fi production with Johnny crooning along as his trusty band of cronies add accordion, percussion and drunken harmonies. Johnny himself is actually a fine vocalist; reminiscent of ex-Jack frontman Anthony Reynolds. He excels particularly on ‘Brotherly Love’ which breaks out the stringed instruments and is surprisingly intense for folk music as Johnny compares himself to a “cad” and a “rake”. The EP concludes with the relatively conventional ‘I’ve Got A Secret’ whereas ‘FollowTheWheel[PartIII]’ is the kind of instrumental men and women of certain might dance a merry jig to if they were that inclined.

Although it’s hard to work out whether they want to be taken seriously, there is a lot of musical merit on show here. However, there is also the inescapable feeling that they’ll find more success on the live circuit rather than in the front room.